Customer Reviews

The American Age: United States Foreign Policy at Home and Abroad 1750 to the Present (2 Volumes in 1)

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I had this as a textbook for my foreign policy and decision making class last fall and found it to be a great book on the history of US foreign policy. It starts at the very roots of the history of the United States and continues to the present day, giving numerous examples of policy decisions. The book is laden with numerous political cartoons and even anecdotes from popular culture (including movies), to show how America's view of itself on both the international and national view has changed over the decades. Lafeber does not write in stilted jargon that only a true blue political science/international relations major can comprehend. This book is written in a professional yet enjoyable manner that does not get overtly dull. Read it for a good intro to America's foreign policy dillemas.

It was with great anticipation that I began reading Walter Lafeber's The American Age. After reading his Inevitable Revolutions, I instantly became a fan of his writings. In The American Age, LaFeber takes the issue of U.S. Foreign Policy and systematically analyses it with great clarity and focus. He has made effective use of primary sources throughout the piece and has clearly shown the different veins of U.S Foreign Policy that have arised, from the evasion of military alliances of the Washington Period, to Taft's Dollar Diplomacy. I felt that the usage of editorial cartoons throughout the text was an excellent idea, as it allowed the reader to have a sense of the public mood during the era in question. In sum, I would declare that The American Age is a must for any reader interested in American Foreign Policy, not only as a reliable guide for facts and figures but also for a thoroughly enjoyable read

Walter LaFeber's masterwork, this text is a detailed, high-impact summation of American foriegn policy throughout our history. What truly makes the book stand out, however, is the fact that LaFeber evaluates foriegn policy with democratic ideals in mind. Rather than plunging off the deep end of ultraliberal America-hating, LaFeber evenhandedly doles out praise and criticism to foriegn policy actors depending only on which is deserved.

And as is too often NOT the case with history books, LaFeber also aviods the pitfalls of taking in too broad a sweep of subjects. Despite America's great strength, LaFeber does not pretend we are omnipotent or that our attitudes and values define the whole world's. Rather, events and actions that have the most impact on people and their lives are camly and deliberatly traced, described, and evaluated. Also to his credit, the author introduces the myriad of characters, places and ideologies that the topic demands be addressed with dashing flair and memorable phrase. While the vastness of World War Two quite nearly bests him, LaFeber, with determination and thorough scholarship, manages to write altogether servicable chaptes on the immense conflict.

One wishes only for another edition, so that the same steady hand of diligent scholarship might come to balance and explain the too-tumultuous happenings of our late era. As a former foriegn policy student, I urge other students to keep the book after the class you use it for ends. LaFeber's worth and insight will likely long continue, and the perspective he provides will help anyone better understand the current foriegn policy mess we're in, and what our priorities should be.

This book is an excellent overview of US foreign policy, covering topics all the way up to the 21st century. LaFeber keeps it pretty fresh and it's an enjoyable read. I had this assigned for a US foreign policy class and it served me very well. Of course, it will condense into a few pages what many scholars will write volumes on, but it condenses events succinctly. LaFeber cites everything and his bibliographies are easily accessible for anyone who wants to delve into the sources. Like other reviews said, LaFeber puts in several images of political cartoons, maps, photographs, paintings, video captures, and so on which provide the reader with more than just text. While LaFeber is not unfair, he does tend to take a moral stance.

Excellent book. Professor LaFeber footnotes most of his writing. In addition he has an additional bibliography for each chapter.

After reading this book I became knowledgeable that:

In colonial times there our American statesmen manipulated the Eurpoean leaders and countries.

Through modern times (President McKinley and afterwards) the United States government has been meddling or worse in the affairs of countries of the world. The US seems to back just about any leader that is anti-communist. The US would spend a lot less if it limited its actions to truly important situations (e.g. Hitler conquering Europe and the Japanese conquering the Far East).

This book is very well organized and written. Gives you an excellent primer on the history of US foreign policy. I had to buy it for a graduate class but I would have bought it anyway to read on my own. The book also has an extensive bibliography for each chapter in case you'd like to research deeper.

Great book. LaFeber is a great guy. I am Computer Science major, but I am now contemplating on doing policy!

La Feber is a very good historian who examines the diplomatic history of the United States from its beginnings into the late 20th Century.

The book delves into the issues of the foreign policy of the United States and the people who conducted the policy. One of the more interesting chapters in the book is where La Feber looks into John Quicy Adams (who La Feber believes is the greatest Secretary of State of all-time). The chapter looks at one of the seemingly forgotten statesmen who did many great things for the young United States.

The book is a very good general look at the foreign policy of the United States a must have for those Americanist who enjoy foreign policy. La Feber also does a good job weaving the domestic policy of the United States into the reasoning and the decisions make in foreign policy.

I used this book for an advanced American Foreign Policy course. It is clear, examining all aspects of the development of foreign policy in the United States with regard to all regions of the world and all the presidencies. Particularly, this book excels at developing United States foreign policy during the modern, post-WWII era. However, this book is not without its flaws, as some areas of the world are not developed in as much detail as would be liked by advanced students of the subject.

Pros:
-Concise
-Comprehensive
-Easy to Read

Cons:
-Needs More Original Source Documents
-Needs More Detail at Points